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On the hunt for a well-cut Padparadscha around 2 cts

shewhowanders

shewhowanders

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 28, 2023
Messages
44
Hi PSers!

I’ve been on the hunt for a well-cut padparadscha around 2cts and preferably under 10k. I’ve seen sapphires that I love that have sold from vendors like bgstones, Jason Brim, Finewater, Jupiter Gems, etc but I’m not finding anything available currently in a budget of under 10k that really speaks to me. Ideally, I’m looking for a well-cut non-windowed oval with medium tone and more orange than pink. Here are a few examples of gems that have sold that I love. Just putting this out there in case anyone has a seen a pad with sunset like coloring recently!

https://www.facebook.com/772957229/posts/pfbid035PvTxSzeht6vYMieudxYon4Qrhvk1DX6BnM5BJRHzVu75qRZu5ainaGv953S499Zl


 
How exciting! I will keep my eyes open for you!! Is treatment important? Sounds like color and cut are your top concerns. I too prefer medium tone, a touch more saturation, and a dominant orange hue. I don't care for the lighter, more pink-leaning stones, but everyone is different. Just be careful the color doesn't veer too dark or overly saturated, because it may not certify as a pad (if that matters to you). In my opinion, what makes padparadscha so special is that sweet spot. A couple of the above examples look like orange sapphire to me. I do like the color of the first one very much though. Buy what you like, as long as you are aware of the pricing differences. From what I've seen, Sri Lanka is really the only producer of true pad colors. I feel like you can spot them a mile away. Good luck!
 
This is a tough one, but fun one, and just requires some patience
The Glenn one is quite light.
In the meantime I saw this. if you are ok with this color, and heat, and non-Sri Lankan origin, maybe this?

Gia report, 2ct, under 7k. I like the first video, the second video less and the third with harsher light you can see how those minor inclusions might interact with light and be visible.

Just a quick find, not necessarily recommending

 
I'm by no means a guru, but I've been studying padparadscha for many years. I was trying to describe this the other day... there's a crispness or purity to the color of a true pad. Not that you need (or want) my advice, because our preferences are all different, but I would suggest avoiding even a whiff of brown or copper tones at all costs. I'd even go smaller to avoid that. I'm checking out my usual haunts and hoping to find something you'll like. :)
 
I’m possibly more tolerant than Autumn (and definitely don’t know as much about padparadscha) but that veers too brown for me. A bit too much like shifting pink tourmaline.
 
mellowyellowgirl said:
A bit too much like shifting pink tourmaline.
Click to expand...

Yes! This is a perfect description of something I would avoid... a pad that looks like a shifty tourmaline (with a suggestion of brown). And I love pink, peach, and orange tourm, but it isn't how I'd want my pad to look.

OP, I took a look through the NSC's stock and I think @toomuchB chose the best one within your parameters and budget. I am looking elsewhere, but this may be one of those scenarios where you have to put out a lot of feelers to different vendors and be patient. My "dream" pad was my 4th one; I bought and sold 3 before it... too pale... too pink... too dark... too brown. It's like whack-a-mole sometimes!
 
Autumn in New England said:
Yes! This is a perfect description of something I would avoid... a pad that looks like a shifty tourmaline (with a suggestion of brown). And I love pink, peach, and orange tourm, but it isn't how I'd want my pad to look.

OP, I took a look through the NSC's stock and I think @toomuchB chose the best one within your parameters and budget. I am looking elsewhere, but this may be one of those scenarios where you have to put out a lot of feelers to different vendors and be patient. My "dream" pad was my 4th one; I bought and sold 3 before it... too pale... too pink... too dark... too brown. It's like whack-a-mole sometimes!
Click to expand...

Same, I would wait, contact sellers, if it doesn't work out by the next Tucson show I would ask a few dealers to keep a look out.
 
Thanks everyone! I’m considering doing a gem hunt with Inken as an option to find my perfect stone Thanks for your feedback on the Glenn sapphire. I think it’s kind of tricky to gauge how the color would look in hand from the window light tweezer video. He told me it’s 25% darker in person and the color is more intense.
 
Autumn in New England said:
Yes! This is a perfect description of something I would avoid... a pad that looks like a shifty tourmaline (with a suggestion of brown). And I love pink, peach, and orange tourm, but it isn't how I'd want my pad to look.

OP, I took a look through the NSC's stock and I think @toomuchB chose the best one within your parameters and budget. I am looking elsewhere, but this may be one of those scenarios where you have to put out a lot of feelers to different vendors and be patient. My "dream" pad was my 4th one; I bought and sold 3 before it... too pale... too pink... too dark... too brown. It's like whack-a-mole sometimes!
Click to expand...

Your pad is what dreams are made of I saw the thread on your pad ring and was very envious lol
 
shewhowanders said:
Thanks everyone! I’m considering doing a gem hunt with Inken as an option to find my perfect stone Thanks for your feedback on the Glenn sapphire. I think it’s kind of tricky to gauge how the color would look in hand from the window light tweezer video. He told me it’s 25% darker in person and the color is more intense.
Click to expand...

Honestly, if cut quality is particularly important to you, it will be extremely hard to beat the Glenn stone. Maybe ask for a video or images more accurately showing the color he is describing. 25% darker and more intense could completely change the equation.
If its more than you want to spend, you can always make an offer with what you are comfortable paying. Maybe reach a middle ground.
Even a concierge, imo, will not find such a well cut, 2ct, no heat padparadscha (and even from the classic origin Sri Lanka).
 
shewhowanders said:
Thanks everyone! I’m considering doing a gem hunt with Inken as an option to find my perfect stone Thanks for your feedback on the Glenn sapphire. I think it’s kind of tricky to gauge how the color would look in hand from the window light tweezer video. He told me it’s 25% darker in person and the color is more intense.
Click to expand...

Yasssssss!!! She has THE best eye for true pad color. She just gets it, I'm tellin' ya. This is going to be so much fun!! Please be sure to give us updates in real time. lol Pad shopping might be my favorite PS gem hunt.

I just wanted to mention that I actually think the tone of the Glenn sapphire is great. And the cut is phenomenal. I also distinctly see both pink and orange. My concern is the saturation. I worry that you may see some brown in natural daylight. I wouldn't strike it from contention just yet though... more videos and photos might be in order. And then maybe you can see it in person with an appropriate return/refund policy. :)
 
toomuchB said:
Honestly, if cut quality is particularly important to you, it will be extremely hard to beat the Glenn stone. Maybe ask for a video or images more accurately showing the color he is describing. 25% darker and more intense could completely change the equation.
If its more than you want to spend, you can always make an offer with what you are comfortable paying. Maybe reach a middle ground.
Even a concierge, imo, will not find such a well cut, 2ct, no heat padparadscha (and even from the classic origin Sri Lanka).
Click to expand...

100%.
 
Autumn in New England said:
Don't you hate that? Sorry, make your edit and then I'll edit mine! lol
Click to expand...

No no lol. I already edited it after I wrote how quick you are (just added the line on 25% darker/more intense changing the equation, mentioned Sri Lanka origin). I really don't mind at all!

Autumn in New England said:
Don't you hate that? Fixed it! lol
Click to expand...

Hahaha, you're fine! But thanks anyway!

Honestly I'm guilty of sitting there editing a longer post every 3 mins until the window closes so it probably happens quite often and I don't even notice.
 
toomuchB said:
No no lol. I already edited it after I wrote how quick you are (just added the line on 25% darker/more intense changing the equation, mentioned Sri Lanka origin). I really don't mind at all!

Hahaha, you're fine! But thanks anyway!

Honestly I'm guilty of sitting there editing a longer post every 3 mins until the window closes so it probably happens quite often and I don't even notice.
Click to expand...

I do the same! :lol-2:
 
Your links aren't public. You need to select the option to share them with everyone who has the link. Alternatively, you could upload to imgur, it's quick, easy, and doesn't require a registration.
 
Can you upload the pics here?
 
Agree with using Imgur - so that there is no connection to your google account. Just download the videos, and drag and drop them onto the imgur home page. Then link the URL.
 
shewhowanders said:
Sorry about that! Thanks for suggesting imgur

https://imgur.com/a/9ekulLq

Video 1 is indoors, video 2 is outdoors on a cloudy day, and video 3 is outdoors on a sunny day.
Click to expand...

Ah I don't like being the first to give feedback because I am not confident in my opinion especially when we have people with more experience, but here goes.

To me this looks very similar to the NSC sapphire I linked above in terms of color, just lower weight, I can't tell if its cleaner (a bit far away), and you say there is a window (a bit hard for me to tell). Also for the NSC we don't know how it behaves indoors. I see brown in the indoors video of this stone but I'm not an expert with the padparadscha experience to know how to read this video.

They're both Madagascar + heated too. Since the NSC sapphire is cut a bit deep, maybe the face up is negligible despite the weight difference.

Finewater has great studio shots (closeups are ideal for assessing cut and clarity) and handshots on his site, I would like to see those for this one.

Edit-
Another note - the finewater one doesn't look like your inspo colors in your first post - which are quite strongly orange, and more intense.
This might be a better fit just color wise - if not for the under 1.5ct size
www.africagems.com

Killer No Heat 1.32 Carat GIA Padparadscha Sapphire, Cushion Cut, 5.68 x 5.65 x 4.52 mm

Seller of high quality loose gemstones, diamonds, jewelry, findings and mountings
www.africagems.com www.africagems.com

Or am I wrong and you are actually looking for the classic delicate color like the finewater, glenn stones? most probably prefer those.

I like a mean, saturated orange-dominant padparadscha, not unlike the ones in your first post - here's another:
www.cushiongem.com

4.56 Oval Un-heated Sri Lankan Padparadscha Sapphire — Cushion Gem: Precious Gems of Color

Click here to read our feature about this ultra-rare Padparadscha Sapphire Contact us before purchasing to confirm availability 2 Day Inspection: 100% Money Back Guarantee less shipping (USA Only) Armored & International Shipping Rates Available FOB, upon inqui
www.cushiongem.com www.cushiongem.com
Or if I have to go pink dominant then more like:

Artemis padparadscha sapphire ring by Hirsh London

Artemis padparadscha sapphire ring by Hirsh London
www.thejewelleryeditor.com www.thejewelleryeditor.com

Tastes vary of course, I'm just inquiring whether you are looking for something like in the OP listings or a delicate classic padparadscha.
 
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I don’t know if this would appeal, but @Inked recently posted a pad, 2.83 carats, GRS certified but it is heated.

Inked

Thread '2 carat Padparadscha sapphire LOOSE GRS Orange Pink heated'

Soooo... i realize I am not a gemstone girl. I also cant spell padparadscha and have to google it every time i need to type it.

2 carat heated GRS orange pink Padparadscha sapphire. Loose! Comes with GRS cert. I really love it, but I bought it forever ago and I am just not a gemstone girl... LOL. The good news is you're getting a steal of a price for a PAD!!

$5500 comes with GRS cert, i didnt see any GRS pads this color for less than $8k

Contact me for videos because its a gorgeous color, but you know how it is when you try to take gem pics. The last pic is the vendor pic.

I have to...
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This is probably nothing like what you're looking for, but it is lovely:

www.sothebys.com

Padparadscha Sapphire and Diamond Ring | Fine Jewelry | Jewelry | Sotheby's

<p>Featuring an oval-shaped padparadscha sapphire flanked by a pair of tapered pentagon-shaped diamonds.</p><ul><li>Padparadscha sapphire weighing 4.49 carats</li><li>Size 6¾</li><li>Platinum</li><li>Accompanied by C. Dunaigre report no. CDC1808420 dated August 16, 2018 stating that the...
www.sothebys.com www.sothebys.com
 
@toomuchB I really like the color of the 4.56ct you linked. I think my ideal would be a little bit lighter than that stone. The 1.32 has really nice intense color too, just a little smaller than I’m looking for and perhaps a bit too orange.
 
shewhowanders said:
@toomuchB I really like the color of the 4.56ct you linked. I think my ideal would be a little bit lighter than that stone. The 1.32 has really nice intense color too, just a little smaller than I’m looking for and perhaps a bit too orange.
Click to expand...
Rambling thought:

You can filter and prioritize in two ways.

Step 1. Look at good/decent cut only. Step 2. Hope you find one with the intense orangey color you want

Or

Step 1. Look for the intense orangey color you like
Step 2. Hope you find a good/decent cut

As a color snob, the second method makes more sense to me. If I was looking for that more intense orangey color it's immediately clear the finewater and NSC ones do not fill the bill. I would have not even considered them under my second preferred filtering method.

But maybe the color vs cut thing is not as clear-cut for you, and you'd accept other types of colors. In which case both strategies make sense. It would help us and yourself (if you haven't precisely thought about this yet) if you could clarify imo.

If that makes sense.
 
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@toomuchB I think I would say that cut is more important to me than color because I can’t look past a big window. For color, I really just don’t want it to be too pink, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be a deeper color. I do like the pastels shades as well. I reached out to Dinuka of ceylon blue gems, and they have this option available. It has a window, but not the worst that I have seen. I do like the color and I might inquire if it’s possible to have a recut.

https://imgur.com/a/dxwAoZ4
5aa2031e-3d36-4dcb-b929-0bda01093a33.jpeg9ccfd023-8c50-4f8c-8008-5a083633668d.jpeg
 
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